‘Tis the season of Broadway Openings. MATILDA opens tonight (Happy Opening, kids!), and over 12 other Broadway productions will open in the next two weeks, all racing against the Tony Award eligibility deadline. Although I can’t wait to see them ALL, here are 3 shows I’m excited about that may NOT be on your radar.
1) FAR FROM HEAVEN @ Playwrights Horizon
Kelli O’Hara in a scene from Far From Heaven. Photo by T. Charles Erickson
After a successful run last summer at Williamstown Theatre Festival, FAR FROM HEAVEN, the musical adaptation of the 2002 film, will be at Playwrights Horizon May 8-June 30. The show has an award-winning creative team (book by Richard Greenberg, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie, and Michael Grieg is directing) and stars the lovely Kelli O’Hara, fresh off her run as Billie Bendix in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (she has an ANGEL VOICE, so it’s no wonder the woman never stops working- even when she’s several months pregnant!). Also excited to see Quincy Tyler Bernstine, especially after her fantastic work in Soho Rep’s WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION… . Looks like a night of smart dialogue, great acting, and beautiful, jazzy music. You can check it out here (PH’s website is really awesome, btw).
2) ON YOUR TOES @ New York City Center ENCORES!
The Encores! series at New York City Center is such a gift to those of us who enjoy classic, old-school musicals. On May 8-12, the little known 1936 Rodgers and Hart musical ON YOUR TOES will return to the stage with the help of talented director/choreographer Warren Carlyle. According to the show’s website, ON YOUR TOES is “an improbable mix of gangsters, vaudeville and classical ballet” and was “the first musical to successfully integrate classical dance into the Broadway musical format.” The original production was actually choreographed by Mr. George Balanchine himself! I love ballet, and I REALLY love old musicals, so here’s my chance to see both. Get your tickets here!
3) A PUBLIC READING OF AN UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY ABOUT THE DEATH OF WALT DISNEY @ Soho Rep
Walt and Roy Disney posing with their Academy Award
I first heard rumblings about this play after the PRELUDE Festival last October, and voila! Now the World Premiere of A PUBLIC READING OF AN UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY ABOUT THE DEATH OF WALT DISNEY is being produced at Soho Rep April 30-May 26. The play is written by rising star Lucas Hnath, directed by Sarah Benson, and features a solid cast with Larry Pine as Walt Disney, Amanda Quaid as Daughter, Brian Sgambati as Ron, and (my personal favorite!) Frank Wood as Roy. I don’t know a whole lot about the plot, other than Walt Disney is reading a screenplay he wrote about his last few days on Earth. Soho Rep describes it as an “adrenaline-charged odyssey, a supersonic portrait of the man who forever changed the American Dream.” I expect big things. Buy your tickets here!
These shows won’t be on any 2013 Tony ballots, but I’m excited nonetheless!
Love and Good Seats,
Blondie
Blondie on Broadway 